Take a tour of this travel-inspired home

Nov. 9, 2011

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An exterior view of the home of John and Beth Raidell near Springfield. Mark Schiefelbein for the News-Leader

Want to go?

What: The 16th Annual Cup O' Cheer Homes Tour, a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the OzarksWhen: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday Where: The homes of John and Beth Raidel, 5253 E. Crown Park Lane; Andy and Cindy Lear, 5261 S. Applecross Way; Colin and Linda McAllister, 6101 S. Natural Falls Drive, Ozark; Stevan and Dee Olson, 3910 E. Knollwood, Ozark; Randy and Melinda Wright, 5135 S. Castlewood Drive; and the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks, 949 E. Primrose St.Cost: Tickets are $25 and available in advance at Ronald McDonald House, Gamble's Gift Gallery, Nancy Rose, The Thicket, Jellybeans, Obelisk Home, Countryside Cottage, Gifts From the Heart, Ashley Furniture, Wickman's Garden Village, Town & Country Flowers and Collectibles and Millwood Realty. The day of the tour, tickets will be available only at Ronald McDonald House. The first 1,200 guests to purchase tickets will receive a Cup O' Cheer china teacup and saucer, designed by the team at BridgeBlue Sourcing Partners.Also: Desserts prepared by students at the Victory Trade School will be served to each guest and raffles and a silent auction will be held.Info: Visit www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org or call 875-3522.

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When John and Beth Raidel began designing their home east of Springfield, they wanted a home with "breathable space," John says.

Vast open spaces, soaring ceilings and abundant windows were a must. The Raidels had collected ideas for years about what form those spaces should take.

"We've had the privilege of traveling extensively and we picked up a lot of ideas from our travels," John says.

They also wanted a space large enough to accommodate entertaining on any scale, but decorated with items dear to their hearts. The result is their European-inspired estate, nestled on 40 acres.

The Raidels credit the quality of the craftsmen who worked on their home for the quality of architectural details, from the wrought-iron handrail on the stairs to the barrel-front antique chests incorporated into their kitchen cabinets.

But while the home is large, it is still very much a home.

Heirlooms from their families can be found throughout the house. A piano that belonged to Beth's family is in the music room; other items reflecting John's Hungarian and Romanian heritage are scattered throughout.

This season, the Raidels are inviting the public to see the home they've created. They are among five Springfield area homeowners opening their home to the public for the 16th Annual Cup O' Cheer Homes Tour, a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.

Each room has been professionally decorated for the tour by Ron Johnson of The Thicket. Many of Beth and John's keepsakes and collectibles, including Nativities and Christopher Radko ornaments, were incorporated into the holiday design for the home.

While some might be stressed about the idea of signing up for a home tour, Beth says they did it for two reasons: 1) They want to help Ronald McDonald House Charities and 2) Ron asked.